Coffee Bean Leaf Analysis
Coffee estates that are serious
about production and quality will conduct a coffee leaf sample analysis to chemically analyze their
soil and foliage. This will help them detect deficiencies and recommend a fertilization
program. Usually the third and fourth pair of coffee leaves
from the fruit bearing terminals are tested after they have
reached one-third of their full size (Mavolta, 197).
See chart of Mineral
Deficiencies.
The following numbers and explanation
are recommended by the soil analysis laboratory at Cooxupe,
in Guaxupe, Brazil.
Recommended
Coffee Bean Leaf Nutrition Levels
|
|
Units
|
Low
|
Medium
|
Adequate
|
|
Nitrogen
|
g/kg
|
<23
|
23-27
|
28-31
|
|
Phosphorous
|
g/kg
|
<1.2
|
1.2-1.6
|
1.7-1.9
|
|
Potassium
|
g/kg
|
<18
|
18-21
|
22-25
|
|
Calcium
|
g/kg
|
<6
|
6.0-9.0
|
10.0-13
|
|
Magnesium
|
g/kg
|
<2
|
2.0-2.6
|
2.7-3.5
|
|
Sulfur
|
g/kg
|
<1.2
|
1.2-1.7
|
1.8-2.3
|
|
Zinc
|
mg/kg
|
<5
|
5.0-10
|
11.0-20
|
|
B
|
mg/kg
|
<30
|
30.0-49
|
50.0-80
|
|
Copper
|
mg/kg
|
<6
|
6.0-9
|
10.0-15
|
|
Manganese
|
mg/kg
|
<70
|
70-99
|
100-150
|
|
Iron
|
mg/kg
|
<80
|
80-119
|
120-200
|
Recommended
Coffee Leaf Ratios
|
|
Minimum
|
Maximum
|
Min
for leaf
|
Max
for leaf.
|
|
N/P
|
15.0
|
18.0
|
15
|
20
|
|
N/K
|
1.1
|
1.4
|
0.9
|
1
|
|
N/S
|
12.0
|
17.0
|
12
|
14
|
|
N/B
|
467.0
|
620.0
|
350
|
640
|
|
N/Cu
|
1867.0
|
3100.0
|
1867
|
3200
|
|
P/Mg
|
0.5
|
0.7
|
0.4
|
0.6
|
|
P/Zn
|
85.0
|
190.0
|
107
|
190
|
|
K/Ca
|
1.7
|
2.5
|
1.6
|
2.6
|
|
K/Mg
|
6.0
|
9.0
|
6
|
10
|
|
K/Mn
|
146.0
|
250.0
|
120
|
440
|
|
Ca/Mg
|
2.8
|
4.8
|
3.1
|
4.8
|
|
Ca/Mn
|
67.0
|
130.0
|
60
|
214
|
|
Fe/Mn
|
0.8
|
2.0
|
0.6
|
3.6
|
N/P
The nitrogen in purine and pyrimidine match the phosphororic
acid proportions of these nucleic acids.
N/K
Nitrogen and phosphorous work together in facilitating coffee growth and vegetation.
Without one or the other these processes are weakened.
N/S
All vegetable proteins have sulfur containing amino acids.
This is measured to determine the proportion of sulfur
containing amino acids in relationship to the other amino
acids.
N/B
and N/Cu An increase in the absorption of nitrogen helps
growth, but can decrease the amount of Boron or Copper.
P/Mg
Magnesium is indispensable for the absorption of phosphorous.
P/Zn,
P/Cu, P/Fe, P/Mn An excess of phosphorous causes an absence
of Zn, Cu, Fe, and Mn.
K/Ca,
P/Mg, K/Mn Potassium inhibits the absorption of Ca, Mg,
and Mn.
Ca/Mg
and Ca/Mn The Ca is essential for the absorption of Mg and
all of the other elements.
However, too much results in a decrease in the absorption
of various other cations including K, Mg, Mn, and Al.
Fe/Mn
An excess of Fe results in a loss of absorption of Mn and
an excess of Mn causes reduced absorption of Fe.
High
amounts of N Provokes shortages of Fe, Cu, Mn, and Zn.
High
amounts of P Diminishes the theoretical Zn and reduces the
availability of Mn
Low
amounts of P Induces a deficiency in Mo.
High
levels of K Induce a deficiency in Zn.
K
Stimulates the absorption of Zn.
High
levels of Mg Induces deficiencies in Zn and Mn.
High
levels of Mo Induces deficiencies in Fe and Mn.
High
levels of B Reduces the absorption of Zn.
High
Cu, Fe, Mn Makes it difficult to absorb Zn.
High
levels of S/SO4 Reduces absorption of Mo.
Related
Articles
Soil Analysis and Nutrition
Environmental Conditions for Growing Coffee
Mineral Deficiencies
Coffee
Plant
CEC
